#TCCSoftball announces 2016 signees; FSU, FAMU highlight fall schedule
2016 Fall Schedule | 2017 Roster
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (September 29, 2016) - Tallahassee Community College head softball coach Patti Townsend has announced her 2016 signing class.
Townsend, who is entering her 14th season as the Eagles' head coach, signed nine players who will join rising sophomore returnees Alycia Smith (OF/Palm Coast, Fla.), Kristin Gunter (INF/Pensacola, Fla.), Alyssa NeSmith (C/Tallahassee, Fla.), Casey Durham (OF/McDonough, Ga.), Elisa Cecchetti (C/Bollate, Italy), Brooke Bates (INF/Climax, Ga.) and Raya Moncus (P/McDonough, Ga.).
All nine signees are from the Sunshine State, including a trio who played at Baker County High School.
Here's a closer look at the Eagles' 2016 signing class:
Brandie Callaway (OF, Glen St. Mary, Fla./Baker County HS)
Coach Townsend on Callaway: "A young outfielder with good speed and reads the ball well. We're looking for her to be on base and be consistent both offensively and defensively for the team."
Jewliana Castillo (P, Key West, Fla./Key West HS)
Coach Townsend on Castillo: "We're looking for her to take the mound and eat up some innings. She throws completely different than the other pitchers in the line-up and will take pressure off the rest of the staff."
Kacie Dobyanski (INF, Naples, Fla./Gulf Coast HS)
Coach Townsend on Dobyanski: "She's steady at second base defensively. She's consistent and keeps her nose to the grind and works very hard. This season we will be working hard to get her as consistent offensively as she is defensively."
Anjelica Johnson (OF, Ft. Walton Beach, Fla./Okalossa Online)
Coach Townsend on Johnson: "It's been impressive to see her ability to make adjustments, as well as her decision-making. She has come in, worked hard and will likely see some playing time in the outfield."
Samantha Malik (INF, Orlando, Fla./Lake Brantley HS)
Coach Townsend on Malik: "I'm looking for her to be an infield leader at shortstop —she has a strong arm and is extremely talented. She will be a steady infielder who contributes highly to the team."
Payton Parker (INF, Macclenny, Fla./Baker County HS)
Coach Townsend on Parker: "We will be taking her a bit out of her comfort zone by asking her to play first base. But she is adaptable and a team player, fills whatever role is asked of her. She works extremely hard, and we're looking for her to settle in at first and really excel."
Callie Payne (P, Macclenny, Fla./Baker County HS)
Coach Townsend on Payne: "As a freshman pitcher she moves the ball well and hits her spots. She mixes up speed and is very crafty at the plate."
Alyssa Rosenbaum (INF, Middleburg, Fla./Middleburg HS)
Coach Townsend on Rosenbaum: "She's a quiet leader. Has great hands, is versatile, and is a strong hitter who really hits the ball hard."
Cassidy Strickling (INF, Orlando, Fla./Winter Springs HS)
Coach Townsend on Strickling: "She will be seeing time at third base with her good range. A coachable athlete who makes quick adjustments, is very focused, and really the spark plug that the team will be looking to this year for energy."
Eagles to face FSU, FAMU during fall slate
Tallahassee's fall schedule opens on Sunday, October 2 with a 1 p.m. doubleheader at the TCC Softball Complex against Team Venom.
The fall schedule features seven game dates, all between October 2 and 22, including three against neighboring Florida State University and Florida A&M University.
The Eagles will host Florida A&M at 4:30 p.m., Thursday, October 6 then travel to the Lady Rattler Softball Complex on Wednesday, October 12 for the back end of the home-and-home (game time TBA).
In between, TCC will make the short drive down Pensacola Street to face three-time defending ACC Champion Florida State on Sunday, October 9. Game time is set for 1 p.m.
Tallahassee will close the fall schedule on Saturday, October 22 with a 1 p.m. doubleheader at home against the CF Ladyhawks.